Metal bending device

ABSTRACT

A metal stock bending device comprises a main body arranged to be secured to a suitable support structure and a handle assembly mounted to the main body on a shaft having a substantially vertical axis arranged such that the handle rotates on the shaft about the axis. The body is arranged to support an interchangeable die on the shaft. The handle is arranged to support an interchangeable shaper die having an axis parallel to the shaft axis positioned on the handle such that the shaper die is arranged to follow a path of a circle about the shaft axis. A block assembly arranged to support a metal stock to the die. Movement of the shaper die about the die on the shaft engages the metal stock supported by the block assembly such that the rotation of the handle forces the stock to take the shape of the die.

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal bending device, more particularly a portable device arranged to fabricate compound circular and angular bends in flat, square, round and tubular metal stock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The current market provides many different varieties of bending mechanisms for shaping metal stock. Some examples of current metal bending mechanisms are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,091,845 (Johnson) 4,909,059 (King) 1,239,165 (Davis et al.) 1,682,149 (Robertson) 2,153,935 (Neukrich) 784,471 (Church) 2,414,926 (Burke) 3,444,716 (Martin) 4,351,178 (Uehara et al.) 4,055,065 (Whetstone, Jr. et al.) 3,732,721 (Cusimano) 3,606,786 (Taylor)

[0003] Each of the above mentioned Prior Art Patents show a particular means for bending metal tubes using a relatively common method. As disclosed, the Patents do not show a means to bend or shape different types of metal stock such as flat or square types. Also, each patent discloses a mechanism which not only may not be able to be used to shape flat or square metal to but they also may not be used or at least intended to be used to fabricate a variety of unique compound bends such as scrolls, “S” shapes and angle forms as well as compound circular and angular bends. As shown in the above mentioned Patents, a particular mechanism may be able to create “S” shapes on a metal tube but may not or is not intended to create bend of other shapes or types on metal stock other than tubular types.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a bending machine to fabricate compound circular and angular bends in flat, square, round and tubular metal stock.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide means capable of forming circular bends of 360° and also varied angular bends.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism with the capability to receive metal sizes for bending up to ⅜″ round or square stock, flat stock up to ⅛″ by 1″ and tubular up to ¾″ round or square with 100 wall maximum.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism which can fabricate a variety of unique compound bends in a piece of metal stock such as scrolls, U-forms, “S” shapes and angle forms.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a metal stock bending device comprising:

[0009] a main body arranged to be secured to a suitable support structure;

[0010] a handle assembly mounted to the main body on a shaft having a substantially vertical axis arranged such that the handle rotates on the shaft about the axis;

[0011] an interchangeable die on the shaft;

[0012] an interchangeable shaper die on the handle having an axis parallel to the shaft axis positioned on the handle such that the shaper die is arranged to follow a path of a circle about the shaft axis;

[0013] and, a block assembly arranged to support a metal stock to the die;

[0014] wherein movement of the shaper die about the die on the shaft engages the metal stock supported by the block assembly;

[0015] wherein rotation of the handle forces the stock to take the shape of the die.

[0016] Conveniently the main body is arranged to receive a depth control mechanism for regulating the length at which the metal stock is shaped.

[0017] Conveniently the die has a circular diameter.

[0018] Conveniently the die has a radial groove.

[0019] Preferably the die has an edge for angular bends.

[0020] Preferably the block assembly has a threaded shaft wherein a block is coupled to an end adjacent the die.

[0021] Preferably the threaded shaft is arranged to be rotated through a portion of the main body such that the block engages the metal stock at the die.

[0022] Preferably the block has an opposing face relative to the threaded shaft which corresponds with the type of metal stock.

[0023] Conveniently the face is flat.

[0024] Conveniently the face has a groove parallel to the positioned metal stock.

[0025] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the present invention with a length of flat metal stock positioned to be shaped.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0029]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the present invention with a length of flat metal stock shaped in a circular bend.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0031]FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one example of a part of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the block.

[0034]FIG. 9 is a vertical cross section of a die with a radial groove.

[0035] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention consists of a body 1 which is clamped by a bench vice 3 or can be attached to existing pedestal unit in order to solidly fix the body in place to a suitable support structure such as a work bench while the bending operation is accomplished. The body is an elongate member which as a first end 5 and a second end 7. A top side 9 of the body has a shaft support tube 11 which is securely mounted to the body by welds or the like. The tube has a threaded interior 13 having an axis 15 parallel to the body in which a threaded shaft 17 is arranged to be inserted. The threaded shaft extends along the length of the body from the first end to the second end and is arranged to be rotated within the tube. At an end of the shaft adjacent the first end of the body is a bar lock rod 19 which is inserted through the end of the shaft in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the axis 15 such that the lock rod can assist in rotation of the shaft within the tube. At an opposite end of the shaft, adjacent the second end of the body, a block 21 is securely mounted thereto being arranged to move inwards and outwards with the shaft.

[0037] At the second end of the body is a substantially vertical die shaft 23 which has an axis 25 extends perpendicularly to the axis 13 of the tube. The die shaft extends out of the top side of the body adjacent the tube such that the block can engage a length of metal stock 27 clamping the stock therebetween. The shaft is arranged to receive a cylindrical die 29 which is interchangeable with a variety of dies with a variety of diameters. The block is arranged to clamp the length of metal stock against the die.

[0038] The die shaft extends through a bottom side of the body wherein a handle 31 is mounted. The handle is arranged to rotate about the axis 25 of the die shaft. The handle extends outwardly from the die shaft axis whereby a cylindrical shaper die 33 is mounted. The shaper die is spaced outwardly on the handle from the die shaft axis and has an axis 35 parallel to the die shaft axis. The shaper die is arranged to be adjacent the die such that the shaped die rotates directly about the die.

[0039] To complete a circular bend, the cylindrical die is mounted on the second end of the body. The die is mounted on an end of the die shaft. The die is interchangeable in that different diameter dies can be used for different diameter circular bends. The material to be bent is clamped against the die using the block which connects with the threaded shaft. The lock rod allows for rotation to the body. Movement of the handle about the axis forces the shaper die around the die such that the metal stock is force to take the shape of the die.

[0040] Angular bends are made using a flat shaped bending die 37, an example is shown in FIG. 7, mounted on the die shaft. The material to be bent is clamped in the body using the threaded shaft and block the shaper die is mounted on the handle, behind the material to be bent such that when the handle is moved forwards towards the body the material is bent to the desired angle. There are many variations of the die used in angular bends, the die shown in FIG. 7 is an example of one die. Different dies can be custom manufactured to provide a user with the desired shape or bend. The die, as illustrated in FIG. 7, has a first face 38 which has an edge 40 with a sharp design to provide bends of 90° or more and a second face 42 with a more angular edge 44 to provide 90° with a desired curve. The die has a bottom edge 46 arranged to engage the main body such that the die does not rotate on the shaft while being used.

[0041] The block, as shown in FIG. 8 has a front face 41 and an opposing rear face 43 arranged to receive the threaded shaft. The front face has an engaging arrangement 45 which is arranged such that the face supports a metal stock against the die. Different types of metal stock require an engaging arrangement to correspond with the shape or size of the metal. For example, for bending a round metal rod, a corresponding groove 47 of the engaging arrangement of sufficient size is used, for square rods a sufficient sized squared groove is needed.

[0042] A depth control arrangement 51, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, is arranged to be set at a desired position such that the metal stock can be shaped at a desired length without having measure the length for each metal stock. The depth control arrangement is attached to the main body such that an arm 53 extends outwards therefrom. The arm has an adjustment mechanism 55 which is arranged such that the distance of the arm from the main body can be adjusted. The arm is positioned to engage an end of the metal stock at a desired length to be shaped for consistent measurements therefrom.

[0043] As best illustrated in FIG. 10, a radial cut 61 is made in dies which are arranged to shape metal stock of tubular or square cross sections. The cut is arranged to support the metal stock therein such that the stock shaped consistently.

[0044] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A metal stock bending device comprises: a main body arranged to be secured to a suitable support structure; a handle assembly mounted to the main body on a shaft having an axis arranged such that the handle rotates on the shaft about the axis; an interchangeable die on the shaft; an interchangeable shaper die on the handle having an axis parallel to the shaft axis positioned on the handle such that the shaper die is arranged to follow a path of a circle about the shaft axis; and, a block assembly arranged to support a metal stock to the die; wherein movement of the shaper die about the die on the shaft engages the metal stock supported by the block assembly; wherein rotation of the handle forces the stock to take the shape of the die.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the main body is arranged to receive a depth control mechanism for regulating the length at which the metal stock is shaped.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the die has a circular diameter.
 4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the die has a radial groove.
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the die has an edge for angular bends.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the block assembly has a threaded shaft wherein a block is coupled to an end adjacent the die.
 7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the threaded shaft is arranged to be rotated through a portion of the main body such that the block engages the metal stock at the die.
 8. The device according to claim 6 wherein the block has an opposing face relative to the threaded shaft which corresponds with the type of metal stock.
 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the face is flat.
 10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the face has a groove parallel to the positioned metal stock. 